Middlesbrough must do all they can to convince one of their priority summer targets to join despite Premier League interest.
Middlesbrough have promotion aspirations for the 2024/25 season, having fallen just short of the play-offs last time round.
Manager Michael Carrick knows he needs additions to make this possible, particularly with the possibility of losing the likes of Seny Dieng, Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg.
It is no secret that strengthening the midfield is the priority for Boro now that last season’s loanee Luke Ayling has signed permanently and they may have to act fast with newly-promoted Ipswich Town now entering the race.
Ipswich to battle Middlesbrough for Lewis O’Brien signing
Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien spent last season on loan at Boro, having fallen down the pecking order under Steve Cooper.
The 25-year-old showed glimpses of his quality but saw his contribution impacted by injuries as he managed just 23 Championship appearances.
Carrick is understood to be keen for O’Brien to return to The Riverside permanently this summer, especially given Boro currently have just three senior centre midfielders in the squad.
Now, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon, Ipswich are showing interest in the player Forest are keen to offload and could act swiftly to sign the ex-Huddersfield Town midfielder.
Nixon also states that Boro remain interested, but the Ipswich interest complicates matters with the lure of another shot at the Premier League likely to be difficult to turn down.
Signing O’Brien would greatly improve Middlesborough promotion chances
The obvious benefit Boro have is that O’Brien has spent last season at the club and could subsequently feel it is the best place for him to play regularly again.
O’Brien was part of the Huddersfield side that lost to Forest in the 2021/22 play-off final and his performances that season convinced the East Midlands club to take the midfielder to the Premier League with them.
However, he only managed 13 top flight games before being shipped to DC United on loan the following January where he was managed by Wayne Rooney.
If Boro are able to beat Ipswich to O’Brien’s signature then they will see their chances of promotion increase greatly, particularly if he can have an injury-free season.
O’Brien is very confident on the ball but aggressive out of possession and has energy in abundance. If Carrick can get him playing at the heart of his midfield on a weekly basis then he could be a huge part of a promotion push next season.
If they do miss out, it will be difficult to find a player of similar quality who is able to come in and make an instant impact on Teesside.